"Previously, coverage ranged from only 10 to 20 percent," he said on Wednesday.
He added that nearly 281,000 beneficiaries come specifically from the 3B group.
Wihaji emphasized that providing MBG to these groups is crucial for preventing stunting.
Early interventions during the First 1,000 Days of Life (HPK) — a critical period from conception to a child's second birthday — play a major role in accelerating efforts to reduce stunting.
"One of the causes of stunting is inadequate nutrition, starting during pregnancy, continuing through the breastfeeding period, and affecting infants under 2," he explained.
Earlier, Dadan Hindayana, Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), stated that the MBG program currently serves around 8.2 million beneficiaries, including students from kindergarten to high school, as well as pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers.
President Prabowo Subianto aims to increase that number to 20 million beneficiaries by the 80th anniversary of Indonesian Independence on August 17.
"However, I asked related authorities to accelerate it, and they said they can do it," he said.
Still, Prabowo reminded his team to maintain quality standards, particularly in kitchen operations and financial management.
"And that takes time," he added.
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Translator: Lintang Budiyanti P, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Anton Santoso
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